The entertainer recently told Parade magazine that he wanted to bring something different to the show. “I’m not used to playing a lot of black-tie events, but I’m going to get onstage and have fun and bring a country-rock flair to the show,” he said. “It’s my first time being nominated, and anything that comes from the fans is extra special.”

Aldean performed the party-hearty hit with a great deal of energy, and the audience ate it up, showering him with applause at the end of the song.

That's probably no surprise to the singer, who says he enjoys a special relationship with his fans. “I want them to stick with me when things are going great and when they’re not going so great,” he said. “The fact that they’ve done that is a testament to how amazing country music fans are. That makes me proud.”